Ash Gardner has been rewarded for another solid WBBL campaign with selection in its official team of the tournament, while her dream for a third title with the Sixers remains alive.
Gardner, in her maiden campaign as Sixers captain, has taken 16 wickets for the season - second on the competition-wide tally - and averaged a touch shy of 15 with the bat in her side's middle order across the regular season.
The Sixers lodged a one-run win over the Strikers at the weekend to finish second on the ladder and move directly to Thursday night's 'Challenger' against third v fourth Knockout fixture winners the Scorchers.
A spot in Saturday's final against the Hurricanes in Hobart is on the line.
Gardner has led a swift rise up the ladder after the Sixers endured a string of lean seasons.
After claiming the title in seasons two and three, with the Muruwari allrounder in the side, they've qualified for just a single finals series in the last six summers.
Gardner helped her side get off to a strong start against their Challenger opponents in their season opener last month taking 5/15 with the ball and two catches in a 10-wicket win.
Her best of the campaign came in a 16 run victory against Melbourne Stars lodging her first WBBL half century to go with 3/31.
The Sixers posted an 11-run away win over the Hurricanes three weeks ago.
Across the competition, a number of Indigenous cricketers featured in the WBBL 11.
Sixers teammate and Palawa keeper-batter Emma Manix-Geeves made six appearances for the season.
Gumbaynggirr batter Anika Learoyd averaged 25 runs, twice unbeaten and with a high score of 43 for Thursday in a cross-town contest with the Sixers.
Ella Hayward couldn't break into the Stars lineup after crossing from the Renegades mid-year while Hannah Darlington spent the season sidelined with injury.
After propelling WA to a first-ever title at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships earlier this year, Mikayla Hinkley featured five times for the Scorchers, top scoring with 31 at the WACA in their opening match.
Gardner was named player of the tournament in 2022-23.
WBBL 11 team of the tournament
Danni Wyatt-Hodge - Hobart Hurricanes, Meg Lanning - Melbourne Stars, Beth Mooney - Perth Scorchers (wk), Ellyse Perry, Sydney Sixers, Sophie Devine - Perth Scorchers, Ashleigh Gardner - Sydney Sixers, Georgia Wareham - Melbourne Renegades (c), Heather Graham -Hobart Hurricanes, Kim Garth- Melbourne Stars, Shabnim Ismail - Sydney Thunder, Sophie Day -Melbourne Stars
12th: Phoebe Litchfield -Sydney Thunder
